randagio
/ranˈda.d͡ʒo/masculine
The English word stray is translated into Italian as randagio.
In Italian, randagio is a masculine noun used to describe a domestic animal that is at large or lost. It can also function as an adjective to describe the state of having gone astray. For related concepts such as the action of erring, the verb perdersi is used.
Meaning: domestic animal at large or lost (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes to match the gender and number of the animal being described. The masculine singular is randagio. Use the feminine form randagia when referring to a female animal or a feminine noun such as gatta (cat). For multiple animals, use the masculine plural randagi for a group of stray animals or a mixed-gender group and the feminine plural randagie if the group consists only of female animals.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /ranˈda.dʒo/.
Did you know?
- In a poetic or melancholy sense, calling a person a randagio suggests they are not just lost, but are a soul wandering through life without a fixed home or purpose.
- The word randagio likely derives from the word randa, which historically refers to a 'boundary' or 'edge'. This suggests the term originally described something wandering near the margins or edges of a territory.
- In Italy, you might see the term used in the phrase cane randagio to describe a stray dog, but in a legal or administrative context, authorities often use the term animali erranti to describe animals roaming without supervision.
Examples in context
- Tom è stato attaccato da un cane randagio.Tom was attacked by a stray dog.This sentence shows how to use the masculine singular randagio when describing a dog.Tatoeba #3852961 by Guybrush88, translation #2876356 by CK
- Il gattino randagio mi ha seguito fino a casa.The stray kitten followed me all the way home.This sentence shows how to use the masculine singular randagio when describing a kitten.Tatoeba #13919735 by Nuel, translation #13919734 by Nuel
- Mi sono smarrito per le vie della città.I got lost in the city streets.
- Nel parco ci sono molti randagi.There are many strays in the park.
- Ho visto un cane randagio nel parco.I saw a stray dog in the park.
Example conversation
Giulia and Matteo are walking in the park.
- GiuliaGuarda quel povero randagio là sotto la panchina!Look at that poor stray under the bench!
- MatteoSembra molto spaventato, poverino.He seems very scared, poor thing.
- GiuliaPossiamo chiamare un rifugio per questo randagio?Can we call a shelter for this stray?
- MatteoSì, cerco subito il numero sul telefono.Yes, I'll look for the number on the phone right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stray” translations and entries randagio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries randagio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
